In an incredible stroke of luck, five colleagues from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are celebrating a stunning $60 million Lotto Max jackpot win, a success they attribute to their cherished Lunar New Year traditions.

Trang Pham, Suong Tran, Phong Phan, Thuc Le, and Zou Hsieh, all employees at a local construction firm, are reveling in their newfound wealth thanks to a ticket purchased for the January 21, 2025 draw. Pham, who spearheaded the idea, explained how she influenced her co-workers during their chats leading to the festive season.

“I was in the store buying some creamer for the office when I thought, ‘Why not grab a Lotto ticket for us?’” Pham recounted in an interview with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). “A week later, I saw that the winning ticket worth $60 million had been sold in Etobicoke, so I quickly checked ours.”

To her astonishment, one of the lines on her ticket matched exactly. “I was in total shock when I saw $60 million on my screen. I took a screenshot and sent it to our group chat immediately,” she added.

As news spread, Pham's phone was inundated with calls and messages from her ecstatic colleagues. Tran, who initially thought it was a prank, described the moment of confirmation: “When I realized it wasn’t a joke, I started shaking and crying tears of joy.”

Pham’s co-workers also had their share of disbelief. “I double-checked the numbers myself, and once I confirmed we were winners, I could hardly keep it together,” shared Phan, while Hsieh and Le, who were initially out of the loop, were equally stunned.

With their windfall, the intentions of the winners are noble and future-focused:

Plans of the Winners

- **Trang Pham** hopes to achieve her long-time dream of homeownership and plans to give back to her community, inspired by her parents’ sacrifices for her.

- **Phong Phan** is ready to embrace new adventures through travel and aspires to start his own business.

- **Zou Hsieh** has made a swift decision to retire, fulfilling a lifelong dream of traveling the world, with a particular wish to see the enchanting Northern Lights.

- **Thuc Le** intends to prioritize family by purchasing a house for his mother, along with indulging in a new vehicle.

- **Suong Tran** prefers to take a thoughtful approach and reflect on various charitable causes she is passionate about before making major decisions.

The group purchased their winning Lotto Max ticket at Giant Tiger in Etobicoke, marking a remarkable moment of joy during a culturally significant time. With the excitement, they are not only looking forward to amazing changes in their lives but also the opportunity to support their families and give back to the community that has supported them.

In a twist of fate, the Lotto Max draw that evening promises continued excitement, with an upcoming jackpot of $60 million and an estimated six Maxmillions prizes, each worth $1 million, ensuring that the dreams of many more players could still become a reality!